Home Run Baseball Photography Tips

Strike one! Strike two! Strike three!outfield and who is likely to win a Gold Glove.
Baseball! America\'s Pastime, and a sport growingFocus your attention on the stars as they most
in popularity throughout the world, where thelikely will make the best photographs, but don\'t
Boys of Summer slug it out. A baseball game isbe so drawn to celebrity that you miss a role
the perfect way to spend a lazy summerplayer making a crucial steal or diving catch that
afternoon, plus it provides opportunities to takewins the game for their team!
photos that last a lifetime.7) When the opening lineup starts, look at the
While many claim the sport of baseball is adugout. If you\'re rooting for the home team, the
slow-paced affair, when action does occur, it canbeginning of the game is a great time to get
happen very swiftly, almost too fast for anplayer photographs as they are running out onto
unskilled photographer to shoot the photos theythe field. If not, take photographs during the
desire. Baseballs fly quickly when hit or thrown,middle of the inning. If you don\'t get the perfect
and timing the action for when to take a digitalphoto, delete bad photographs during lull times and
photograph requires split-second reflexes. Thus,try later during the game.
before you plan on taking photos at a baseball8) To take a picture of a swinging batter that will
game, you may wish to read the following advice:last a lifetime, do the following:
1) First, make sure you are allowed to bring your*) Preparation is the key. First, before the game,
digital camera to the baseball game. Someknow how to operate your digital camera.
ballparks have no restrictions, others on the zoomPractice focusing the camera and quickly deleting
length, some on using flash, and some may notunused photos - sometimes you can delete an
allow you into the baseball game at all with yourunwanted photo before it is completely saved to
camera!the camera\'s memory.
2) Change your camera settings to take the*) Before the pitch, focus your viewfinder on the
quickest photographs possible while still providingbatter\'s box and try not to cut out any of the
plenty of light for the photograph. You\'ll need tobatter\'s body. Zoom in as appropriate, but
read your camera\'s manual on how to changeremember the more you zoom in, the slower the
these settings; for example, consider savingpotential shutter speed needed to take a clear
photos as JPG instead of RAW to take photosphoto.
faster.*) Anticipate shutter lag. Lock your focus before
Just remember that the quicker the shutterthe pitch; this usually is done by pressing the
speed, the less light enters the camera to takeshutter button down half-way.
the picture. Thus, you\'ll need to compromise*) Time it... time it... then as soon as the ball is
picture speed and the amount of light to takeabout to hit the bat, press down fully on the
great photos. That is why baseball games workshutter button.
well with photography - many games are played*) If the pitch is a strike or the swing is not one
on sunny days or in well-lit domes or stadiumsto be remembered, cancel the save so your
that allow you to take crisp, high-action photos.picture is not written to memory. This way, you
3) Before going to a big league ballpark, makecan save room for other photos.
sure you know the rules and nuances of the9) Look around for photo opportunities not
game. Practice taking photos at a minor-league,directly related to the action. Take a photograph
college, or high school baseball game. The stakesof the grounds crew cleaning the bases and raking
aren\'t quite as high if you miss a shot, and takingthe dirt between innings. Get a few shots of the
your camera to a game will give you more insightcrowd. Take a picture of the scoreboard. Look at
into when action occurs and when players justthe surrounding area. If you want to remember
stand around.the full experience of a baseball game years from
4) Have extra batteries and digital cameranow, you should take advantage of one of the
memory handy and practice switching both outbest features of a digital camera - the ability to
quickly before the game! A three and a half hourtake lots and lots of photographs - and shoot
game can put a tremendous strain on even thephotographs showcasing the FULL baseball
most power-miserly camera, and more oftenexperience.
than not you will have to switch out power or10) Take a break during the game! You came to
memory in the middle of an inning.the baseball game to enjoy the spectacle, not
5) Don\'t worry if you miss a shot! Unless youjust to take pictures, right? Designate a few
have tons of digital camera memory, you mayinnings as photo-free time where you just sit
not be able to continuously shoot photographback, munch on a hot dog, drink a soda, and soak
after photograph. If you miss a key pitch, thein the environment.
swing of a bat, or a forced out, don\'t get angry!Remember to study your digital camera manual
More often than not, new opportunities will arisefirst and practice, practice, practice! Follow these
for great photographs.ten tips and you\'ll be on your way to taking
6) Study the lineup first. Know who are the key\"home run\" baseball photographs in no time.
players and those who barely know how to swingCopyright 2005 Andrew Malek.
a bat. Likewise, learn who has loose hands in the